Managing Director of Business & Entrepreneurship Center

Overview

Managing Director of the Business & Entrepreneurship Center at Lawrence University. This is an in-person, full-time (exempt) role reporting to the Faculty Director of the B&E Center.

Location:

Fox Commons. The B&E Center launched in October 2024 in the Fox Commons development in downtown Appleton, Wisconsin. Its spaces host community events, speaker series, classes, pitch contests, board meetings, and other university events.

The Managing Director will play a key role in creating a vibrant entrepreneurial hub that connects the business and entrepreneurship community with campus. This position begins in January 2026.

• Programming:
  Work with the Faculty Director to plan a variety of events within themes such as Entrepreneurship (including arts organizations), Business and Finance, Non-profits, Science and Tech, Environment and Sustainability; coordinate programming with campus and community calendars; marketing and publicity for events;
  Budgeting; planning revenue-generating events
• Course Contribution:
  Contribute to BUEN courses (such as Business and Society, In Pursuit of Innovation) by working with teams, arranging alumni and community mentors and guest speakers
• Planning & Organization:
  Plan and organize Launch
  
  LU (campus pitch contest) and represent Lawrence University at The Pitch (regional pitch contest); plan and implement summer programming in the B&E Center in coordination with appropriate campus offices
• Community Outreach & Relationship Building:
  Develop community partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, schools, arts organizations; collaborations with community organizations (founders’ groups); engage the local alumni community to support the Center’s mission; work closely with the Career Center to increase BUEN internship and post-graduation opportunities for students
• Day-to-day Operations:
  Staff presence when the space is used by the community; manage access control and security; handle logistics for events (including weekends and evenings); manage room reservations and space use

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
• At least 2 years of experience in the entrepreneurial ecosystem
• Project management experience
• Experience in higher education

Work collaboratively with all members of the team, staff, faculty, vendors, students, and parents within the Lawrence University community.

• Employment is contingent on acceptable results of criminal, MVR, and educational background checks. This role requires meeting university-authorized driver requirements.

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